Are Brazilian adolescents eating enough fruits and vegetables? An assessment using data from the Study of Cardiovascular Risk in Adolescents
Os adolescentes brasileiros estão comendo frutas e vegetais suficientes? Uma avaliação com dados do Estudo de Risco Cardiovascular de Adolescentes
Rev. Nutr. (Online); 34 (), 2021
Publication year: 2021
ABSTRACT Objective To estimate the usual consumption of fruits and vegetables by Brazilian adolescents. Methods We used 24-hour dietary recall data from the Study of Cardiovascular Risk in Adolescents conducted in 2013-2014 with 71,740 adolescents between 12 and 17 years old. The usual consumption of fruits and vegetables was estimated in the Statistical Analysis Software using the model of the United States National Cancer Institute, and evaluated according to sex, age, place of residence, economic class, and nutritional status of the participants. Results The mean of usual fruit and vegetable consumption was estimated at 171g/day, mostly fruits (128g/day), mainly in the form of fruit juice (64.8%). The minimum fruit and vegetable consumption of 400g/day recommended by the World Health Organization was reached only by 2% of the adolescents. The adolescents' socioeconomic class or nutritional status had no impact on the usual fruit and vegetable consumption, but adolescents from northern Brazil had a significantly lower consumption than those from the midwestern region. Orange was both the most consumed fruit on a daily basis (mean of 42.6g/day, 90% as juice) and the most reported fruit (by 12.7% of the adolescents), followed by apples (10g/day; 5.6%) and bananas (8.4g/day; 8.3%). Tomato was the most consumed vegetable (9.2g/day), reported by 11.5% of the adolescents. Conclusion Public health policies are necessary to encourage fruit and vegetable consumption among Brazilian adolescents, including of pure juice, essential foods to prevent chronic diseases in adulthood.
RESUMO Objetivo Estimar o consumo de frutas e vegetais por adolescentes brasileiros. Métodos Foram utilizados os dados do Estudo de Risco Cardiovascular de Adolescentes conduzido em 2013-2014 com 71.740 adolescentes entre 12 e 17 anos, que responderam ao questionário recordatório de 24 horas. O consumo usual de frutas e vegetais foi estimado no programa Statistical Analysis Software usando o modelo do Instituto Nacional de Câncer dos Estados Unidos e avaliado de acordo com sexo, idade, residência, classe econômica e estado nutricional dos participantes. Resultados O consumo médio usual estimado de frutas e vegetais dos participantes foi de 171g/dia, sendo 128g/dia de frutas, principalmente na forma de suco in natura (64,8%). O consumo mínimo de 400g/dia recomendado pela Organização Mundial da Saúde foi alcançado por apenas 2% dos adolescentes. A classe socioeconômica e o status nutricional não impactaram o consumo usual, mas adolescentes do norte do Brasil tiveram um consumo significativamente menor de frutas e vegetais se comparados com aqueles da região centro-oeste. A laranja foi a fruta mais consumida no período do estudo (média de 42.6g/dia, 90% como suco) e a mais relatada (por 12,7% dos adolescentes), seguido de maçã (10g/dia; 5,6%) e banana (8,4g/dia; 8,3%). Tomate foi o vegetal mais consumido (9,2g/dia), reportado por 11,5% dos adolescentes. Conclusão Políticas públicas são necessárias para encorajar o consumo de frutas e vegetais entre os adolescentes brasileiros, inclusive na forma de suco puro, pois são alimentos essenciais para prevenir o desenvolvimento de doenças crônicas na vida adulta.